In this paper we present a method for creating a strong rain danger map for Cyprus which is based only on terrain information without the need of meteorological and surface type data. The map is a combination of two methods developed at DLR over the past years for prediction of flood dangers from local strong rain events and for dangers from flash floods originating from strong rain events in upstream regions. Beside the explanation of the methods the results are presented and cross-checked with a flood event from 2003 of the Pedaios River south of Nicosia.
The Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (EMMENA) regions are rich in Cultural Heritage (CH) sites that have been subject to various threats, including conflicts, natural disasters, and urban development. Effective risk assessment and monitoring are essential to preserve and protect these assets. Towards that direction novel technologies and their integration can be valuable for a holistic framework of managing diverse datasets and providing a robust safeguarding of CH assets. A data cube is a multidimensional representation of data that allows for efficient and flexible analysis, designed to support online analytical processing (OLAP) and data mining. Data cubes can be regarded as a three-dimensional structure, with each cell representing a unique combination of values from the different dimensions. By creating a data cube that includes several satellite and geospatial data sources, organizations can gain a more holistic understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with CH sites as well as to identify patterns and trends that might not be apparent in individual data sets. Within this context, it becomes apparent that data cubes allow for a multidimensional view of the risk landscape and can be used to create data-driven predictive models forecasting risks and opportunities for CH assets, in order for them to be preserved and protected for future generations. The risk assessment and monitoring framework used in this study can be easily transferred, in order to monitor CH sites in any sensitive region and can be adapted to include data from other sources and monitor different types of threats, including climate change related, environmental, and social risks.
Turkey due to its location within the collision zone between the Eurasian, African and Arabian Plates, is a region prone to earthquakes. The country mostly lies on the Anatolian micro-plate, bounded by two major strike-slip fault zones, i.e., the North and the East Anatolian Fault. On 6 February 2023, the activation of a large segment of the East Anatolian Fault generated two earthquakes of 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude, in southern Turkey. The seismic risk is greater along the plate boundaries, however due to the frequency of earthquake occurrence throughout Turkey, detailed seismic risk maps are crucial and need to be continuously updated towards operational purposes, and as the optimal means towards decision making for disaster risk reduction. Extensive Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite image analysis was performed to determine ground displacements caused by the seismic sequence in the wider area around the two epicenters. Pre-seismic line of sight displacements, as well as co-seismic deformation, were estimated, providing critical information about the surface rupture and the overall ground deformation in the affected areas. Earthquakes can induce landslides and other ground displacements causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Therefore, optical (e.g., Sentinel-2, PlanetScope) and SAR (Sentinel-1) imagery were exploited as a useful tool for assessing the impact of earthquakes on the ground. The monitoring and mapping of these changes, in conjunction with SAR analysis, as well as information on building infrastructure and population density, highlight the overall damage assessment in the region, thus, allowing a better understanding of the impact of earthquakes while providing a more effective response and recovery efforts for decision makers and local authorities towards disaster risk reduction.
The Evros region in Greece is prone to frequent floods, causing significant damage to infrastructure and communities. It is imperative to have an effective flood monitoring system in place to mitigate the risks associated with these natural disasters. Satellite remote sensing technology can provide vital information for monitoring and assessing the impact of such events. High-resolution satellite imagery and other remote sensing techniques can provide near real-time information on the floods' extent, severity, and dynamics, allowing for prompt and accurate responses of disaster management. This study integrated radar and optical imagery from Sentinel-1 and PlanetScope, respectively, to map the extent of a significant flood event along the Evros River from 12th of January to 01st of February 2021. Moreover, it exploits geomorphometric information through Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to assess the flood risk zones. The region experienced the highest recorded rainfall in the last 50 years, making the event particularly noteworthy. More specifically, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service recorded an average monthly rainfall of 408 mm for January and 211 mm for the first ten days of February. The outcomes of this study highlight the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches and the synergy within optical and radar imagery, which can offer vital data to local authorities and stakeholders in decision making towards mitigation strategies and resilience in flood risk events.
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